Anthony F. Espinola, Jr. Obituary (1935 - 2024)

Anthony F. Espinola, Jr. (Tony), age 89, a resident of Naples, FL, North Hampton, NH and Lowell, MA and formerly from North Tewksbury, MA passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Jacqueline (Gagnon) Espinola with whom he enjoyed 64.5 years of marriage. He was born in Lowell on March 8, 1935 and was the son of the late Anthony F. Espinola, Sr. and Christina (Crowley) Espinola. In addition to his loving wife, Tony is survived by his son Michael Espinola and wife Patricia of Naples, FL, Tyngsboro, MA and Rangeley, ME and daughter Ann Marie Espinola Bastek and husband Stephen of Tyngsboro MA. He was very proud of all four (4) of his successful grandchildren, Jonathan Souza and wife Sarah, Stephen Espinola and wife Natalie, Dr. Alicia Espinola Rotolo and her husband Dr. Nicholas Rotolo, and Joseph Espinola (former USMC) and soon to be wife Kali Vitek. Tony had two amazing great grand-children, Teigan and Desmond Espinola. Tony also leaves his brother, Robert and wife Beverly of Wilmington, MA along with their children, David , Barbara Bianchi and husband David and Mary McCarthy and husband Dan. Tony leaves his sister in law, Patricia Gagnon Jorve, and husband Barry along with his dearest niece Christine Grinley and partner Bob Lemieux and nephew PJ Volonino and niece Wendy Youree. He is pre-deceased by his brother in law, Emile (Sonny) Gagnon. He also leaves his close cousins, Mary Andreoli, Ruth Espinola Burke, Marty Espinola and Mary Espinola Claffey and close family and friends, Collette Lyons, Sister Lucille Cormier and Sister Betty LeBlanc. Tony had a love of life, family, friends, music, travel and reading. He was raised in Lowell, MA and graduated from Lowell High School where he played baseball as their pitcher. He attended Lowell Technical Institute, Northeastern University and Cornell University while working as a grocery manager for Elm Farms along with being in the 26th Yankee Division of the National Guard. Together with his great friends and partners that have pre-deceased, Andy Ogiba, Al Camasso, John Connor, and Joe Rondina to name a few, grew a very successful grocery store chain named Elm Farms which ultimately shrank to their foundational establishment known as the Waltham Supermarket in Waltham, MA. Tony was an avid Red Sox fan having a box seat next to the then owner of the Red Sox Yawkey family. He took the family to many games and enjoyed the Red Sox win of the World Series in 2004 ending their 86 year draught. Tony had an amazing collection of former Red Sox team memoriablia from the Boston Braves which are now the Atlanta Braves. His collection was donated in his and Dr. Trey Sinyard name to the Atlanta Braves museum in Atlanta Georgia as they forged an incredible relationship while at MGH for 4.5 months in 2018. Despite his setback from a medical procedure that did not go as planned, he remained happy and humble to all that tried to help. He had a large group of friends and gained so many friends in his last six (6) years of difficult times thanks to his amazing surgeons, Dr. Noelle Saillant and Dr. Trey Sinyard. This allowed him to experience three weddings, two great grandchildren and was looking forward to the upcoming wedding of his grandson Joseph in September. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 4pm to 7pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 115 Wheeler Road, DRACUT. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, CHELMSFORD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tony's name to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105 or avowcares.org. Service Details Visitation When May 9, 2024 4:00pm - 7:00pm Location Dracut Funeral Home Address 2159 Lakeview Avenue Dracut, MA 01826 A Mass of Christian Burial When May 10, 2024 10:00am Location St. Francis of Assisi Parish Address 115 Wheeler Road Dracut, MA 01826 Interment When May 10, 2024 10:00am Location St. Joseph Cemetery Address 96 Riverneck Road Chelmsford, MA 01824